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Ukraine crash victim identified

One of the British victims killed when the flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine has been formally identified as former BBC journalist Glenn Thomas, the Foreign Office said.

The 49-year-old was among the 298 passengers and crew aboard the doomed flight, which was downed by suspected pro-Russian separatists last month.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm the formal identification of another British victim of Flight MH17 Glenn Thomas.

"His family have been informed. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We continue to provide consular assistance to the family."

Mr Thomas' family are making plans for his body to be returned to his home-town of Blackpool, according to reports on the BBC.

Mr Thomas worked as a media officer for the World Health Organisation (WHO) and was travelling to Australia for a conference on Aids when the plane crashed.

He was one of 10 Britons killed in the tragedy, and leaves behind his partner Claudio and sister Tracey.

At the time of his death WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: ''We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock.''

Tensions between the West and Russia have flared following the downing of the Boeing 777, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed on July 17.

Fighting has engulfed Ukraine's separatist east and its government has repeatedly accused Russia of stirring up trouble within its borders.

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In the latest development, Ukraine security services has released a video of 10 Russian paratroopers it claimed were captured while fighting alongside pro-Moscow rebels in the east of the country.

However, Russia has always denied supporting and arming rebels in the region.

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